1. Assessment and possible solutions for existing solid waste management in Bhopal and
its environmental impacts.
Introduction: There has been significant increase in municipal solid waste generation in Bhopal
in last few decades. This is largely because of rapid population growth and economic
development in the city. Solid waste coming from industrial activities, household generation,
agricultural generation and construction & demolition waste has been degrading the
environment due to unscientific method of disposal since many years. The size of Bhopal
Municipal Corporation (BMC) is 285 sq. km which is divided into 14 zones and further distributed
into 70 wards. The total population of these areas is 1437354, which means a low density of 50
persons per hectare population distribution. Subsequent planned addition to municipal area is
expected to expand it to 601 sq. km. According to municipal estimates the solid waste generation
in Bhopal is 507 tons per day. House hold waste generation in the city is 258 grams per capita per
day totaling to 439 MT from household sector and in addition to that 68 MT from other sectors
out of which 11 MT is medical waste requiring special provision for disposal.
The Bhanpur Khanti area (dump yard) has already exceeded its limits. The private contractors
have been found dumping waste at low laying areas of Jamuri maidan. There are proposals to
make new dumping sites at Achapura, Chhawani Adampur and Sukhi Sewania which are in
pipeline. Also, the present collection system of BMC has no or very limited primary collection
system with an exception of some posh areas, the residents dispose of garbage in bins or open
drains or simply in a corner which is subsequently collected by sweepers from corporation. The
total waste reaching bhanpur Khanti is 350-360 MT per day thus, the efficiency of waste reaching
landfill is 65-70 percent, out of the 70 wards BMC is responsible for collection from 48 wards and
the remaining 22 are with private contractors.
The disposal of Bio medical waste lacks proper mechanism. There are 3 main functional
incinerators at Govindpura, Hamidia hospital and Mandideep. The capacity of Govindpura
incinerator is 1000kg/day. The remaining Bio medical waste which fails to reach the incinerators
is mixed with Municipal solid waste and is disposed at the present dumping site.Both the city
dwellers and the environment are facing crisis due to improper, hazardous and inadequate
dumping of waste and its management.
Need for study: Solid waste disposal creates problems primarily in high populated areas, in
Bhopal both the city dwellers and the environment are facing the ill effects of improper waste
management and disposal. This has affected not only the general health and hygiene of the city
but also, has affected the poverty alleviation programs. The city requires some improvements in
Solid waste management practices which will lead to an increment in overall quality of life of the
residents.

2. AIM: This project aims to analyze the current solid waste generation, transportation and
dumping/ disposal methods adopted by Bhopal Municipal Corporation and its impact on man
and the environment. This project also aims to suggest possible corrections in the process at
different nodes so as to attain a better environment and a better life for residents.
Methodology: The project is supposed to start with a case study and the study of existing solid
waste management practices in Bhopal which is to be done by consulting the Bhopal Municipal
Corporation authorities and referring to M.P pollution control board data. The data collected,
should then be analyzed in according to the challenges faced by the city due to the methods,
routes and dump yard currently in practice. The final phase will be suggesting some
improvements, if possible to address the impacts on the environment and man.